Union Education Minister launches National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) 3.0 and AICTE prescribed technical books in regional languages. 12 lakh NEAT ed-tech free course coupons worth Rs 253.72 crore distributed to socially disadvantaged groups on Monday.

NEAT is an initiative to provide the use of best-developed technological solutions in the education sector to enhance the employability of the youth on a single platform for learners' convenience. Launching the initiative, union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: “NEAT will be a game-changer in bridging the digital divide, especially among the economically disadvantaged students and fulfilling the knowledge-based requirement of the world.”

Pradhan informed that 58 global and Indian start-up ed-tech companies are onboard NEAT and are offering 100 courses and e-resources for bettering learning outcomes, developing employable skills and overcoming learning loss. He hoped that the e-content and resources and Digital frameworks like NEAT are a step in the right direction in minimising learning loss.

Encouraging AICTE to integrate courses in NEAT with skill India to tap the opportunities in emerging areas of skill to boost employability and prepare our youth for the future, Pardhan urged that the council and ed-tech companies to offer e-resources in the least possible cost. He said that all ed-techs are welcome to work with a collaborative approach for making education accessible and affordable. But, ed-techs must remember that there is no place for monopoly and exploitation, he added.

More than 12 lakh socially and economically disadvantaged students received free ed-tech course coupons worth over Rs 253 crore under NEAT 3.0 as a new year gift from the Prime Minister.

On the occasion the minister also launched AICTE prescribed technical books in regional languages.

(With inputs from agencies)